Today marks the start of a summer heatwave which is likely to bring the hottest day of the year so far and could make June a record-breaking month.

Met Office statistics for the first half of the month show June is on track to be Britain’s hottest for 42 years, since the famous heatwave of 1976.

On the longest day on Thursday this week, Cornwall was only feeling temperatures of 11C - colder than the 12.6C recorded in Bude on Christmas Day.

But it's all about to get a whole lot better. And while the forecast shows cloudless sunshine everywhere in Cornwall through the week, Bude is set to get the hottest temperatures, at 27C on Thursday and Friday.

The forecast for Bude this week (Image: Met Office)

With the hot weather coinciding with the longest day of the year, UV levels will soar to the highest levels recorded in the UK this weekend and over the course of the week.

Levels are set to reach eight out of a possible 11 from this weekend - the highest level that the UK can expect to receive, which is very rare according to Met Office experts.

The index exposure measures between 1-11, with 8-10 being ‘very high’. Ultraviolet (UV), is radiation from the sun at a particular place on a particular day.

The Sunburn map shows south west England, south Wales and Ireland in a red zone, in which it says people with fair skin risk redness within 8 minutes and sunburn in 17 minutes.

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A Met Office spokesperson said: "Saturday and Sunday morning will start cool and fresh, but temperatures will soon rise into the low to mid 20s for many across the country. By the time we get to Monday, temperatures nationwide will be in the low to mid 20s, with a few spots into the high 20s, and are set to rise even further from mid-week."

Chief Meteorologist, Frank Saunders said: “As warmer air from the continent moves towards the UK from Wednesday, temperatures will climb into the mid to high 20s quite widely, even in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland.

"By this stage, some places in England and Wales will very likely top 30 Celsius – it’s not unlikely somewhere could reach 32 Celsius. With almost wall-to-wall sunshine we’ll certainly be looking at conditions which many of us would call a heatwave.”

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Dr Owen Landeg, of Public Health England, said: “Much of the advice on beating the heat is common sense and many people will want to enjoy the long spell of warm weather in the forecast. Now is a really good time to think about what you can do to protect you and your family and friends’ health during summer.

"For some people, such as older people, those with underlying health conditions and those with young children, the summer heat can bring real health risks. That’s why we’re urging everyone to keep an eye on those you know who may be at risk this summer.

"If you’re able, ask if your friends, family or neighbours need any support. And if you’re going outside for a prolonged period, remember UV is high at this time of year so think how the sun affects you and what you’d do to make sure you don’t get burned.”

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Swimming and sunscreen

Water washes sunscreen off, and the cooling effect of the water can make you think you're not getting burned. Water also reflects ultraviolet (UV) rays, increasing your exposure.

Water-resistant sunscreen is needed if sweating or contact with water is likely.

Sunscreen should be reapplied straight after you've been in water – even if it's "water resistant" – and after towel drying, sweating, or when it may have rubbed off.

Children and sun protection

Take extra care to protect babies and children. Their skin is much more sensitive than adult skin, and damage caused by repeated exposure to sunlight could lead to skin cancer developing in later life.

Children aged under six months should be kept out of direct strong sunlight.